Beihai Gang.
Gang Leader Zhu Sihai sat solemnly at the head of the room, staring at the bowing Hall Master Wang before him.
"The position of Hall Master of the Iron Eagle Hall has been vacant for some time now, and we have yet to decide who will take over. What are your thoughts?" Zhu Sihai held a cup of tea in his hand, his voice faint, yet it clearly echoed in Hall Master Wang's ears.
"I will follow the Gang Leader's arrangements in all things."
Wang Meng's heart leaped with joy. He had thought that he might not be able to attain the position of Hall Master, and his attempts to bribe Manager Huang had fallen through. Unexpectedly, just when things seemed bleak, it seemed the Gang Leader was considering promoting him.
Zhu Sihai's words weren't explicit, but Wang Meng had already understood. However, he dared not become complacent, fearing that this hard-won opportunity might vanish.
"You are someone I have watched grow step by step. Now that the opportunity has arisen, I naturally want to promote you," Zhu Sihai said slowly.
"Thank you, Gang Leader. I will definitely..."
Zhu Sihai sipped his tea and continued:
"Go kill someone. As long as he is dead, your position as Hall Master will be essentially secure."
Wang Meng's emotions took a swift turn, and he quickly responded:
"Whatever you command, Gang Leader, I will brave any danger. May I know who the Gang Leader wishes to kill?"
"There's a Government Official named Chen Yuan in the County Government Arrest Room. He is your target," Zhu Sihai tapped his fingers on the table.
"Chen Yuan? He seems to be under the arrest officer Huang..." Wang Meng hesitated, not even understanding why the Gang Leader would issue such an order.
Giving Wang Meng a glance, Zhu Sihai asked coldly:
"Is there a problem?"
"No, no, just..."
"Rest assured and go kill him, there won't be any problems," Zhu Sihai hinted with a smirk, implying that this was an order from the Huang family.
'Yes, I obey the command!'
"Furthermore, you must not assassinate him sneakily, find an excuse and kill him openly..." Zhu Sihai, recalling the instructions from Huang Shengnian, continued.
The Huang family did not wish to assassinate Chen Yuan at this juncture, lest it raise any suspicions.
No need for complications, just find an excuse. Afterwards, make Wang Meng disappear from the Human World. The death of a mere Government Official won't cause much of an uproar.
Murder and assault were common occurrences. Although Chen Yuan's position presented some complications, with Huang Xing overseeing from above, there wouldn't be any issues.
One could simply claim there was a personal grudge between Wang Meng and Chen Yuan. Would anyone really investigate it?
Or rather, would anyone dare to investigate it?
"I understand..."
...
...
These past days at work in the Government, Chen Yuan could be certain, beyond any doubt, that Huang Xing harbored some animosity toward him. Although on the surface, things seemed as usual, even more amicable than a few days ago, a sense of danger had surged in Chen Yuan's heart.
Thus, although he seemed to remain close to Huang Xing, his vigilance was at its highest.
What Huang Xing did not know was that just as he harbored the intent to kill him, Chen Yuan had already sensed it. In Huang Xing's mind, Chen Yuan was probably oblivious to everything.
Wang Ping's injuries had mostly healed, which was partly due to Chen Yuan's efforts. He had even spent several tael of silver to buy some top-quality medicinal supplements for Wang Ping.
Wang Ping was deeply touched. He knew that government officials like them, who had not been in the County Government long, could hardly save much silver.
Towards this, Chen Yuan was quite unconcerned. He possessed nearly forty tael of silver, plus the twenty Tiger Bone Pills owed to him by Tie Qinghua. In total, his assets amounted to several hundred tael.
Chen Yuan did not mind using these resources to win people's hearts.
The relationship between Wang Ping and him was already close, and with deliberate efforts to get closer, it was easy to take the initiative.
Speaking of Tie Qinghua, Chen Yuan had already spotted the stone lion at the entrance of the Song residence yesterday, but he had decided not to approach it until the pair of custom-ordered black iron masks arrived.
For now, Chen Yuan didn't want to reveal his identity, but staying active around the County Government, he might run into Tie Xuan. If discovered, Tie Xuan might guess his identity.
The night was bright, stars dotted the sky.
Chen Yuan, wearing a black iron mask and a black robe, silently arrived in front of the Song residence. The streets were already devoid of people, save for the occasional sound of the watchmen, rendering most of the county eerily quiet.
Chen Yuan glanced at the two lions in front of the Song residence, one made of stone, the other also of stone, the only difference being the red silk on one had not been removed.
With a boost from his steps, Chen Yuan quickly leaped over.
"Big brother..." Tie Qinghua cautiously eyed the middle-aged man in front of her.
Dressed in green, his skin slightly dark, temples bulging, his face covered with stubble, he sipped tea calmly—it was Tie Qinghua's elder brother, the head of the County Government prison, Tie Xuan!
"What's the matter?" Tie Xuan glanced at his sister.
"The man surnamed Yuan probably won't come today."
"Since he told you to tie the red silk, it proves he has the strength to watch from the shadows, don't worry, he will definitely..."
Tie Xuan hadn't finished speaking when he suddenly paused, grabbed a short gun at his feet, and whispered,
"He's already here!"
"What!" Tie Qinghua's pupils dilated in shock, glancing towards the door.
As she looked, the door was pushed open, and Chen Yuan stepped in, fixing his gaze on Tie Xuan:
"Brother Tie indeed has remarkable abilities!"
Tie Xuan stood up, sizing up Chen Yuan:
"So, brother, are you still afraid to show your face?"
Chen Yuan was unbothered, remaining vigilant as he stepped forward,
"I was slashed across the face when I was young, and I prefer not to show my true face, please forgive me, Brother Tie."
Tie Xuan:
"No matter, Brother Yuan, please sit!"
Chen Yuan nodded and walked forward to sit opposite Tie Xuan.
"I wonder why Brother Tie has invited me here, what is the matter?"
Chen Yuan took initiative and asked directly.
"Does Brother Yuan hold a grudge against the Huang Family?" Instead of answering Chen Yuan's question, Tie Xuan posed another.
"There are some grievances..."
Tie Xuan nodded and continued:
"I too have some grievances with the Huang Family, and I believe Brother Yuan has seen it."
Tie Xuan was referring to the previous incident where Song Lao Liu, under Huang Xing's instruction, tried to kill Tie Xuan. Chen Yuan wasn't surprised:
"So, we have a common enemy. How about we join forces and destroy the Huang Family?"
Under the mask, Chen Yuan's profound eyes stared intently at Tie Xuan.
Tie Xuan smiled at the comment:
"Brother Yuan is confident about wiping out the Huang Family? As far as I know, Brother Yuan's strength is merely in Blood Refining..."
The implication was, on what basis do you propose an alliance?
"Strength isn't the most important thing. If I had the power to eliminate the Huang Family alone, why would I join hands with Brother Tie?"
"Would you care to elaborate?"
"I have some leverage over the Huang Family in my hands, enough to overturn them. That's what's most important!" Chen Yuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
————
Thank you to the generous Mr. Liang Kun for the reward of twenty thousand point coins! Impressive!